This year, on Dec. 6, Zappos will be sponsoring the Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon!

We hope to have many Zapponians running the marathon and the half marathon, as well as volunteering in many different areas to help the event to be successful.

We are hoping to encourage as many people at Zappos to participate as we can, and in a meeting earlier this week, we were trying to decide who would be the most unlikely candidate to train hard, eat right and get in shape for a marathon, and Brett H. began to sink into his chair a bit. And then a lot. At one point he might have actually been under the table in the fetal position in a wild, fearful panic.

It slowly dawned on everyone that he would be the perfect candidate to inspire people to train....because he's widely regarded as 'un-trainable'. Tom E. and Rebecca L. pointed out that the motto should be: "If Brett can do it, why can't you?"

So, after a bit of prodding and poking, laughing and joking, tears, fears and a deep desire for beers.......Brett said yes, yes, yes, he would begin training next week and run the Las Vegas Marathon. (Pending a Physical:)

We will be following his progress on Zappos Blogs, Facebook and Myspace.com

We'll let him explain and let some of his friends at Zappos fill him with confidence...............

Check back next week to see Brett's progress, and please comment below with any suggestions to help him out or with any words of encouragement!

So many new triathletes begin their training by seeing the actual race as three separate events with small respites in between, called transitions. However, no matter how long you spend in a transition zone, whether it is a rapid change or leisurely switch, you will find that the events are anything but separate. Instead, you need to perceive the race as a flowing endurance test that has three key alterations, and you must, without question, create moments in your training that reflect the transitioning nature of a triathlon.

Incorporating the brick, when one event in training is immediately followed by another, will not only simulate what it takes to organizationally get yourself from one stage to the next, but it will also more importantly get your body comfortable with the psychological and physiological alterations you must endure. Generally speaking, the change between the swim and the bike is a relatively simple one. The primary muscles used in the swim are not the major muscle groups required to get moving on the bike; therefore, the body does not experience tremendous stress in this situation, so the need to practice this change is minimal in regards to the transition between the bike and the run.

Using a brick format to train for the switch from biking to running represents a critical aspect to any person's triathlon preparation. While both disciplines clearly focus on the legs, both use the muscles differently. The circular motion involved in biking contrasts with the more linear movements performed in running. Often times when triathletes jump off the bike and begin the run, their legs grow wobbly and weak, as the muscles take time to shake out and redefine their job. Without practicing this change, you are setting yourself up for failure in transition number two. Yet, if you integrate a quality brick workout into your regimen once a week, your body will reward you with a more seamless, pain-free transition.

So, make time to put in a solid ride immediately followed by a decent run. Start small and build the bricks as your endurance base improves. You'll feel the difference come race day.

Turn on the television and you will rarely see running. On the odd occasions you do, it is normally a major marathon, and you'll watch elite runners whisk through the city streets of New York and Boston on their way to finishing in just about two hours. Yet, for the rest of the world that loves running for the silent, self-driven discipline that it is, the glory of the sport happens on the weekends, when countless individuals meet and compete on city roads and in rural parks. But, while these venues are wonderful, you have experienced nothing until you've run in the mountains.

In Asheville, North Carolina, in the spectacular Swannanoa Valley, resides a race that will exceed the expectations of any runner, and it will, after finishing, inject each participant with a sense of pride felt little before. The course, set on challenging terrain over a 10k distance, climbs just over 1500 feet in the first few miles; however, that is child's play compared to what happens thereafter.

Runners will then abruptly work to summit Choctaw Rock, which is a total of 3800 feet, leaving them over 2300 additional feet to traverse after the opening miles. Once they arrive at the top, they will work to navigate a tight ridgeline along their way to the 3900 foot summit of Eden Rock. Afterwards, they complete a rapid downhill to the shore of Lake Eden and the well-earned finish line.

Runners are cautioned to essentially double their normal 10k time, and most come to realize that they can in no way run the entire course, as it is a technical and tactical monster that will confront your every flaw and weakness. The terrain, dominated by heavy roots, rocks, downed trees, and steep inclines, makes the experience a memorable one, and the true physical beauty of the surroundings will capture your eye as you work harder than you ever have in a pair of sneakers.

Although it eclipses just over six miles, the race runs much longer and harder. If you are up for a challenge, head to the mountains and give this one a go.

As time passes and you fall in love with triathlons, you will begin to ponder upgrading your competitive gear. Now that your body is fit and you have stopped merely wanting to finish and have instead replaced that goal with ones more focused on success and time, you will need to take a look at every aspect of your training and competition.

If your actual workout regimen suits your lifestyle and your fitness level has solidified, then you need to examine your gear. Everything from your choice of swimwear to your body positioning on the bike to the type of shoe you use must come under close scrutiny.

In the swim, if you have been competing with either a bulky, non-productive wetsuit or without one at all, you are losing precious seconds. While it is widely held knowledge that you will never win a triathlon during the swim portion, you can certainly lose it. Thus, buy a high quality swim skin or wetsuit that permits you to cut the water and maintain good flexibility. A good wetsuit can take off almost 1:30 over an Olympic triathlon swim.

On the bike, utilizing standard handlebars forces your body into an upright position too often. Seeking to become more aerodynamically inclined, you should upgrade by installing aerobars. Learning to ride properly with aerobars will save you between 3:30 and 4:40 in an Olympic triathlon depending on the type of course you encounter. Upgrade your wheels from standard to aero wheels and you will shave another 1:00 to 1:15 off your time.

Finally, on the run, running in your trainers can actually slow you down. Instead, in order to save almost a minute's time in an Olympic race, leave your trainers in the transition and wear a pair of racing flats. They take a little getting used to, but they will quicken your step and make you feel mentally faster.

If your wallet will allow you to, and your body says it's time to, begin your upgrades. You'll taste more success and fall deeper in love with each race you do.

Running itself is a rewarding experience. Yet, the deep personal challenge associated with attempting to accomplish more than you ever thought you could, represents one of running's best kept secrets. Many run for fitness and health, but others run for something more, something deeper and more satisfying.

The American Zofingen Ultra-Distance Duathlon, a race that combines two separate running stints split by a cycling leg, was created to fill the void in ultra-distance duathlon in the United States. Based on the Powerman Zofingen in Switzerland, a race that holds a mind-boggling combination of a 10k run, a 150k bike, and finally a 30k run, has long stood as the planet's most formidable physical challenge, even more so than the world-renowned Ironman Hawaii.

Although slightly shorter than its predecessor, the American Zofingen itself represents a nonetheless grueling test of mind, body, and spirit. Divided into three distinctively different challenges: a 5 mile trail run, an 84 mile bike course and a 15 mile trail run, the race will do everything it can to destroy its athletes, yet therein exists the challenge.

Set in Spring Farm's Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz , New York, the race is not only a severe test in its sheer distance, but it also forces its participants to climb 2,914 feet during the trail runs, and another 8,121 feet during the bike course. Held in October in the Hudson Valley, racers will travel through breath-taking scenery filled with beautiful fall foliage, pumpkin patches, and the smell of hot cider, all the while pushing themselves beyond any point they have ever experienced.

While intimidating on paper, the accomplishment of such a seemingly insurmountable challenge can be life-altering. While this event is not for the new runner or the weekend enthusiast, any person who adores running and wishes for the ultimate test, preparing for and finishing the American Zofingen will not only get you into the best shape of your life, but it will also, more importantly, infuse you with a remarkable sense of pride and self-worth.

While triathlon, a sport that has its roots planted squarely in the idea of camaraderie, seems on the exterior to be an entirely individual sport, the preparation for one requires the help of others. Searching out those people who have the same passion as you can go a long way in making your training, not to mention the overall experience, rewarding and safe.

However, many new participants actually shy away from groups, primarily out of intimidation and insecurity. They see those who have competed as too good to work with, and they feel inferior because of their lack of experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. No other sport in society is as supportive and welcoming as triathlon, and those who endure have an endless desire to usher in new people to share in the enjoyment and further the popularity of the sport itself.

Yet finding training partners can be a true challenge. So, consider the following list when trying to discover valuable people to help you on your way to meeting your goals, whatever those may be.

Health Clubs and Gyms: Naturally, social environments and community places such as gyms are destined to have traithletes walking around. Spin classes can be a great resource for meeting people, and, if your club has a pool, then you may find a few floating about.

Group Swim Workouts: Normally held at local YMCAs, health clubs, community pools, or in the open water at area beaches, these groups want people to belong, so all you have to do is ask. While some may be less formal, most have a Masters swim program that offer formal instruction.

Group Riding and Running Clubs: Every community has small packs of people who meet in local parks in the evening to run or ride, so take a ride and find some of these groups.

Formal Triathlon Clubs: Most towns and counties have an established group that organizes and sponsors the sport. Find these people, as they will have access to endless resources.

In the end, working with others will not only give you confidence and a chance to learn, but also it will keep you committed to the sport and your goals.

The Denver area is home to many marathons. One quickly gaining momentum is the Colorado Colfax Marathon. The Colorado Colfax Marathon runs along Denver's famous Colfax Avenue, starting at Denver City Park, circling through an area just past Wadsworth Avenue in the city of Lakewood, and ending up back at the City Park Pavilion in Denver. The full marathon is about 26 miles long. There's also the option of running the half marathon. Kids in K - 8th grade also can run in the non-competitive Colorado Kids Marathon Mile.

All Colorado Colfax Marathon races are open to varied levels of expertise. Using the relay team strategy is welcome for those running for fun, for a business, or for a charitable cause. This is where friends or business partners team up and tag each consecutive racer at certain intervals of the race.

Terrain for the Colorado Colfax Marathon races is mostly asphalt, since the whole length of the main race extends down Colfax Avenue. In this race, suitable for beginners, expert training is not required. However, before running any race, of course, a person should always check with their physician, as well as prepare their body for the new physical activity.

Denver's weather is a bit unpredictable in the Spring, when this event is usually held. Weather could be sunny and mild or it could even be raining or snowing. If you're coming from out of town to participate in this race, be sure you have running gear suitable for varied weather conditions. Running shoes should have slip-proof technology (in case of rain or snow) with traction that is suitable for flat terrain. They also should be lightweight, so that feet and legs don't tire easily. A windbreaker also is a good idea, in case it gets breezy.

SOURCES
http://www.coloradocolfaxmarathon.org/